Outward Bound programs aim to enhance personal development and life skills. Below are some personal accounts of the impact Outward Bound has had on some of our participants.
Local adventurer Kathryn Gawthorn from Ringwood East recently embarked on the experience of a lifetime, the 26-day Outward Bound Summit to Sea adventure through three states, from Australia’s highest mountain to the south coast of Victoria.
Kathryn joined 17 other participants, of diverse backgrounds, experience and ages, to take on Outward Bound’s ultimate Australian outdoor adventure. The Summit to Sea course is designed to provide unique and challenging experiences to help people discover, develop and achieve their potential.
"I was challenged in every aspect; physically, emotionally, mentally and socially… however, Outward Bound provides an opportunity to gain a renewed sense of purpose and greater self-esteem.” Kathryn said.
Through the stunning wilderness of the Snowy Mountains and Kosciusko National Park to the sea, the expedition provided participants with a variety of exhilarating, often arduous but ultimately rewarding experiences. Memories of new and unusual challenges such as bush first aid and navigation, abseiling, rafting, caving, mountain bike riding across rugged terrain and a 14km final run into the waters of Bass Strait will not easily be forgotten.
Seven families recently completed a nine-day Family course in Walpole, Western Australia. The group spanned from ages 13-50 which made for a wide range of dynamics. The biggest challenge proved to be two days of paddling while highlights included the high ropes course and a beautiful day on the beach with fun family activities. The nine-day Family program provides an opportunity for families to escape from every day pressures and distractions, and spend some quality time together.
For more information on Outward Bound’s Family program please click here.
To view more images of the October Family program please click here.
The twelve-day Navigator course on the 14-25 April 2008 in Western Australia saw twelve diverse young people come together to form a strong bond despite some very challenging wet weather. Nicknamed the ‘Bananas’, they created a very supportive atmosphere where all the members of the group’s needs were met. The ‘Bananas’ were a positive, fun-loving group all eager to learn.
Read on to see what two participants had to say about their navigator experience...
